New shocks, new struts and new springs

[Drummer$Dude]

This weekend I kicked off my Z4 upgrades and maintenance.

My Z doesn’t have adaptive suspension so the upgrade path is easy. I chose Bilstein B4 which is supposed to have a similar ride quality to stock. I thought about B8’s but my wife already complains about the “bumpy ride”, and here in Michigan we are known as the pothole state. That’s why I’ve stayed with 18” wheels and dumped the run-flats shortly after buying the car.

I did opt for the Eibach sport springs which lowers the front and rear slightly. The new spring install on the rear was by far the most difficult job. Shocks were super easy to swap out. I will install the struts next weekend. All the bits and pieces are new except for the nuts that hold the top shock mount in place. I neglected to order those but no harm done.

I also bought a replacement drivers side seat belt and will install it this week. Why? The current belt is frayed along one edge and the seat belt mechanism would not retract consistently. It may be extended for a week, then all of a sudden it would work as it should. A few years ago my local indie shop quoted about $585 for parts and labor. FCP Euro had the seat belt for $150.

I will say this… A mid-rise scissor car lift is on my shopping list. I haven’t broached that subject with my wife yet.

[B21]

And the ride is?

Surprised the rear springs were a struggle …

Good write up!

[Drummer$Dude]

Originally Posted by B21

And the ride is?

Surprised the rear springs were a struggle …

Good write up!

B21, removing the old springs was the difficult part. Inserting the new springs was easy. I didn't have time to install the struts as we had some visitors stop over. I'll do that this week after work.

And B21, I thought you'd like the color of my spring compressor, which by the way makes it super easy to remove/install strut springs.

[cinellipro]

Congrats. Please show us the end product once complete.
Cheers

[B21]

Originally Posted by Drummer$Dude

B21, removing the old springs was the difficult part. Inserting the new springs was easy. I didn't have time to install the struts as we had some visitors stop over. I'll do that this week after work.

And B21, I thought you'd like the color of my spring compressor, which by the way makes it super easy to remove/install strut springs.

I’m impressed you have a spring compressor ..the fact it’s the correct colour is even more impressive!-

[Drummer$Dude]

Hello all. I finally completed the strut install. I’ve had a few weekends filled with family activities so started the strut install last weekend and finished it up today. I put about 30 miles on the road and can report the ride feels balanced and controlled. Shallow potholes are handled with ease, which is important here in the pothole state. No, I don’t make it a habit to run over them but sometimes they can’t be avoided.

Like most people I struggled with removing the old strut from the carrier but after giving it some thought I made a “tool” using a 2x4 about 3ft in length with a cutout on one end so it would fit around the old strut. I then took another piece of 2x4 about 10”-12” long and placed that piece between the carrier and the long 2x4. I was then able to push down on the long 2x4 until the strut popped out the carrier. Also the Schwaben Spindle Housing Spreader Tool worked very well.

I’ll draw up a simple diagram and share it tomorrow.

[Drummer$Dude]

Here's my "Flintstones" tool. LOL It really did work well.

[B21]

Originally Posted by Drummer$Dude

Hello all. I finally completed the strut install. I’ve had a few weekends filled with family activities so started the strut install last weekend and finished it up today. I put about 30 miles on the road and can report the ride feels balanced and controlled. Shallow potholes are handled with ease, which is important here in the pothole state. No, I don’t make it a habit to run over them but sometimes they can’t be avoided.

Like most people I struggled with removing the old strut from the carrier but after giving it some thought I made a “tool” using a 2x4 about 3ft in length with a cutout on one end so it would fit around the old strut. I then took another piece of 2x4 about 10”-12” long and placed that piece between the carrier and the long 2x4. I was then able to push down on the long 2x4 until the strut popped out the carrier. Also the Schwaben Spindle Housing Spreader Tool worked very well.

I’ll draw up a simple diagram and share it tomorrow.

Bilsteins always seem to work well on E89s

[Drummer$Dude]

I figured I’d post an update after 100 miles on the new Bilstein and Eibach setup. Yesterday was perfect weather, 80 degrees and sunny so the top was down for about 50 miles at speeds up to 80 mph.

I’m very happy with the suspension. It’s firm but comfortable, handles corners well. Because I bought my Z used I can’t compare the original suspension to what I have now. Once I get the wheel spacers installed I’ll post a few photos.

[B21]

Originally Posted by Drummer$Dude

I figured I’d post an update after 100 miles on the new Bilstein and Eibach setup. Yesterday was perfect weather, 80 degrees and sunny so the top was down for about 50 miles at speeds up to 80 mph.

I’m very happy with the suspension. It’s firm but comfortable, handles corners well. Because I bought my Z used I can’t compare the original suspension to what I have now. Once I get the wheel spacers installed I’ll post a few photos.

Splendid ..love a happy bunny..

[Y888]

what are the obvious signs of bad shocks without taking them out?

[Marcoose]

Originally Posted by Y888

what are the obvious signs of bad shocks without taking them out?

Leaking, bottoming and bad steering come to mind. Other signs too, but it depends on your setup.

[Drummer$Dude]

Originally Posted by Marcoose

Leaking, bottoming and bad steering come to mind. Other signs too, but it depends on your setup.

For my Z it started with the right strut leaking and when hitting bumps at speed the wheel would skitter rather than absorbing the bump.

[Y888]

who had b4 b6 and b8?
my rear shocks appear to be done at 208kkm,i like spirited driving so not sure if i should go b6 or b8,btw they are not cheap at all,for my e93 they were lot cheaper

[B21]

Originally Posted by Y888

who had b4 b6 and b8?
my rear shocks appear to be done at 208kkm,i like spirited driving so not sure if i should go b6 or b8,btw they are not cheap at all,for my e93 they were lot cheaper

B6 if you use stock ride height B8 if you use MSport ride height..obviously springs to match..

https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/bl...nd-bilstein-b8

[Y888]

Originally Posted by B21

B6 if you use stock ride height B8 if you use MSport ride height..obviously springs to match..

https://www.bilstein-shocks.co.uk/bl...nd-bilstein-b8

so b6 wont fit my factory m sport springs but b8 will,thanks

[B21]

Originally Posted by Y888

so b6 wont fit my factory m sport springs but b8 will,thanks

If you have non adaptive dampers

[Y888]

I dont see that i have adaptive dampers

[B21]

Originally Posted by Y888

I dont see that i have adaptive dampers

Correct..

[Y888]

Originally Posted by B21

Correct..

i think you are wrong,b4 and b6 will fit but b8 should fit only lowered springs lower than stock m sport,
b4 twintube fits my vin according to parts store so i ordered them,b6 is monotube but out of stock everywhere
also ordered new upper and lower rubber spring pads from bmw because i couldnt find them anywhere else

[B21]

Originally Posted by Y888

i think you are wrong,b4 and b6 will fit but b8 should fit only lowered springs lower than stock m sport,
b4 twintube fits my vin according to parts store so i ordered them,b6 is monotube but out of stock everywhere
also ordered new upper and lower rubber spring pads from bmw because i couldnt find them anywhere else

You may think I’m wrong but I’m right..I fitted `B8 to my 20i MSport …all was well..with stock MSport springs..

[Y888]

ok ill measure old and new shocks when i take them out but on my e93 m sport i was able to install black sachs which is equivalent to b4 2 years ago